Wednesday, May 17, 2023, found our stalwart Santa Margarita Daughters at Stepp Stables on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP). Thanks to our America 250 chair, Cassie Valentine, we were able to spruce up the area where the remains of Staff Sergeant Reckless lie, by planting succulents in an old watering trough.
Reckless was a small Mongolian mare purchased for $250 by a US Marine with the75mm Recoilless Rifle Platoon 5th Marines to carry the ammunition for the rifles. She was first led up the hills carrying ammunition. She later would go up by herself, carrying wounded back down. Reckless was wounded twice but continued relentlessly with her job.
Reckless loved beer and snacks, learned to take cover when rounds were incoming at the camp site, snuck in the tent at night to sleep and served not only as a carrier of ammunition, but a source of fun and joy for the Marines who cared for her.
The 75th worked hard to bring Reckless to the United States when the Korean conflict was over. She was the recipient of dozens of medals and lived out her lifetime at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. SSgt Reckless truly was a Marine. This website will give you the entire story about Reckless. Website: https://sgtreckless.com/ It’s well worth the read.
Photo L to R: Charla Boodry, Karen Kirtland, Julie Calvario, Cassie Valentine, Jacquie Berzins, Diana Cook and Lois Harris.